Page 54 of Rebels and Roses

“Are you? In love with her?”

Fiona’s tone was challenging, but the curiosity was real. She truly wanted to know the answer to a question that Cooper had barely asked himself.

“Jane is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met in my life. She’s far too good for me, and I’m lucky to have her in my life.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“It isn’t any of your business.”

“Cooper, it was just a simple question,” Fiona said, feigning surprise. “But you’re definitely avoiding answering. It certainlymakes me think that she’s just one of the crowd. You fuck her, but you married me.”

Fiona was pushing him to get a reaction. He didn’t want to give her one, but damn, she was pushing his buttons.

“Leave Jane out of this. This discussion isn’t about her. This is about you, and what you’re doing here tonight.”

“Your parents invited me to dinner.”

Kim wasn’t his parent.

“And you said yes. Why?”

“I think your dad is funny, and I wanted to meet your new stepmother.”

“No one on this earth thinks my dad is funny.” Realization hit Cooper hard, and he began to laugh as it became much clearer. “You and Dad. You’re up to something again.”

“Again? What do you mean? I barely know your dad.”

Fiona was a terrible actress. He’d known her too long to be fooled.

“You and Dad had a deal years ago. Did he propose something new to you tonight? Christ, Fiona. You didn’t say yes, did you? You can’t trust my father.”

He’d shocked his ex-wife. Good.

“Years—Wait?—”

“Did you think I didn’t know?” Cooper mocked. “Of course, I did. My dad wanted to keep an eye on me when I was traveling. He’s a friend of your dad. There’s a beautiful daughter who just happens to show up where I’m staying and makes a point to talk to me. Damn, do you think I’m stupid? I knew you had to be a plant and were reporting back to my dad.”

Her expression stricken, she seemed to be having trouble forming words.

“I—I—It’s not what you think.”

“It’s exactly what I think, Fi,” Cooper laughed. “I always knew, and I never cared. I didn’t care then what Joel knew aboutme and my life, and I don’t care now. He isn’t a factor in my decision-making.”

“You…married me.”

“I was in love with you at the time. And hell, why shouldn’t you make some cash from my old man? He’s got plenty of it.”

“I stopped once we fell in love. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Her voice was soft, but firm. He believed her, for some strange reason.

“Because it didn’t matter. It was funny to me that he was that desperate to keep tabs on me. And I also thought that if you had to decide between me and him, you’d choose me.”

“I would. I’d choose you. I mean, I did choose you.”

“It all doesn’t matter anymore. Is that why he invited you here? Is that why you arrived before me? Did he offer you another deal? What is it this time? I assume you dropped the news about my author career for a reason. Was it to make a point or something? To me and Dad?”

This would be in character for Joel Winslow. He liked to treat everyone around him like they were pawns in a life-size Monopoly game.

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